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Get Birth Certificates in Afghanistan – Kabul and Kandahar

In Afghanistan, civil identity is primarily documented through the tazkira (تذکره) — a national identity booklet that serves as both an ID document and a record of personal information including birth details. Afghanistan also issues birth certificates (shahadat name-e wiladat) in some contexts. Civil registration is managed by the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics under the Ministry of Interior. Kabul, the capital, and Kandahar, the second-largest city, are the main centers for civil documentation.

Civil Registration in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has faced significant challenges with civil registration due to decades of conflict. Birth registration rates remain low, particularly in rural areas and among displaced populations. In Kabul and Kandahar, civil registration offices operate under the Ministry of Interior. UNICEF and international organizations have supported mobile birth registration campaigns to extend services to underserved communities.

Documents Required

• Hospital birth notification (if available)
• Tazkiras of both parents
• Marriage certificate of parents
• Witness statements (for home births)
• Completed birth registration form

How to Get a Birth Certificate / Tazkira in Kabul

The General Directorate of Civil Registration has offices in Kabul processing tazkira and birth registration applications. To register a birth in Kabul:

1. Visit the civil registration office in Kabul
2. Submit the hospital birth notification or witness statements
3. Present both parents’ tazkiras and marriage certificate
4. Complete the birth registration form
5. Pay the applicable fee and receive the birth certificate or initiate the tazkira application

How to Get a Birth Certificate / Tazkira in Kandahar

Kandahar has provincial civil registration offices handling documentation for the city and surrounding Kandahar Province. The process is similar to Kabul:

1. Go to the Kandahar provincial civil registration office
2. Submit available birth documentation and parents’ tazkiras
3. Complete the registration form and pay the fee
4. Receive the birth certificate or tazkira documentation

Challenges and NGO Support

Many births in Afghanistan go unregistered due to home delivery rates, conflict, and displacement. UNICEF, UNHCR, and other international organizations operate programs to assist communities with birth registration and obtaining civil documentation. If access to a civil registration office is not possible, contact these organizations for guidance on available registration assistance in your area.

Tips for Getting a Birth Certificate in Afghanistan

• Register the birth as soon as possible — early registration is far simpler than late registration
• Bring both parents’ tazkiras and the marriage certificate to the civil registration office
• Contact UNICEF or UNHCR offices if you face barriers accessing civil registration due to displacement or lack of documents
• For Afghan nationals abroad, the nearest Afghan embassy or consulate can assist with civil documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tazkira in Afghanistan?

The tazkira is Afghanistan’s national identity document — a booklet recording the holder’s personal details including name, birth date, birthplace, and family information. It serves as the primary form of civil identity documentation in Afghanistan and is used for most official purposes.

Can I register a birth in Afghanistan if born at home?

Yes. For home births, witness statements from community elders or relatives who can confirm the birth, along with the parents’ tazkiras, are typically accepted as the basis for registration.

Is Afghanistan’s civil registration system currently functioning?

Civil registration services operate in Kabul and other major cities. Access may be more limited in rural or conflict-affected areas. International organizations including UNICEF and UNHCR provide supplementary registration support in underserved areas.

Conclusion

Obtaining a birth certificate or initiating tazkira registration in Afghanistan through the civil registration offices in Kabul or Kandahar is an important step for establishing legal identity. Despite ongoing challenges, civil registration services are available in major urban centers. International organizations provide critical support for communities with limited access to official documentation.